Gratitude in the Last Days of Autumn

Okay, so I know winter doesn't officially begin until late December. I'm not trying to rush the seasons.  But around here it feels like winter is rapidly approaching.

On my last post, I told you we were preparing for Sandy.  I'm happy to report that while she blew directly over us, she didn't leave behind a lot of  destruction.  

She did however, give us more than 5 inches of rain in our gauge!

 (Prayers for those who were not as fortunate!) 

Before the hurricane,  

we (me and the grandbabies) 

had been enjoying  autumn.....

especially the swing set!

We gathered nuts...

Jack was totally into cracking nuts! It kept him busy for quite a while!

Concentrating!

The kids played on Pap Pap's tractor....

 We foraged our way through the garden and fed the chickens..

Chickens love turnip greens!

Did you know that chickens can jump?
Oh yea!

What a sweet face

Goodies of kale, beets, chard, oregano, cabbage and can't forget the eggs!

We carved Jack -o-lanterns with Great Grandma..

Jack helped to "gut" the pumpkins

Creating the eyes and nose
with cookie cutters and a hammer.

Admiring his work

I'm not sure who had the most fun!

We celebrated Jack's 3rd birthday with a bonfire..

Playing in some corn.  Who knew that could be fun?

Can anyone say Uncle BUBBA!

Andrew and Ashley

Jack's mama made 

camping cupcakes.

Cute huh?

The face says it all!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post Sandy,  there aren't many leaves remaining..

the ugly brownness of winter is approaching...

I knew it was coming..

I admit that I don't like it....

not one little bit!!

But I shan't complain.

During this month 

when we celebrate Thanksgiving,

I am reminded that I have so much to be thankful for,

 and though winter is calling louder each day, 

I shall focus on the good things in my life.....

for they are many!

 Be thankful in all circumstances, 

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Linked up with...

and..

http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/11/fall-harvest-link-up-party.html
and

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-7-country-craft.html

Mourning and Celebrating

Before I get to some pictures of our birthday celebration this weekend and a yummy recipe, I thought I'd share these pics to honor a local legend.

  Here in Pennsylvania, there's a lot of mourning going on for Penn State's Joe Paterno, who passed away on Sunday morning.  Wherever you live, I'm sure you've heard about it.  It's all over the news.  And regardless of some of  the negative publicity surrounding Joe Pa in the last months, it seemed he was loved by everyone who new him.   

This is my friend George on a
happier day.  He's a big
Penn State Fan. 

The Joe Pa statue this week.  

Okay, now on to the birthday partay this weekend.  We celebrated 3 birthdays...

Hubs turned.....well ....fifty something. I've lost count!!

Ashley turned 20.  Can you imagine being
 20 again?..and know what you know now??

Son in law Steve is twenty something. Let's just
say he can feel 30 nippin' at his heels!

Jack's Mama wouldn't give him any ice-cream cake because he didn't eat his dinner... 

But when Mama wasn't looking, he snuck some of Pap Pap's cake.

I know you're thinking you could eat some of that ice-cream cake too. It was yummy.... and very sweet.

So here ya go.....this is the original recipe.  I of course had to change some things.
I switched out the ice creams for chocolate and peanut butter cup because my kids don't like coffee.

Dulce De Leche-Mocha Ice Cream Dessert

INGREDIENTS:

Praline Crumbs

10

whole rectangular graham crackers

1

cup butter

1

cup firmly packed brown sugar

1

cup chopped pecans

Filling and Topping

1

quart (4 cups) dulce de leche ice cream, slightly softened

1

jar (16 oz) hot fudge ice cream topping

1

quart (4 cups) coffee ice cream, slightly softened

1 1/2

cups whipping cream

1/3

cup coffee-flavored liqueur

• Heat oven to 350°F. Arrange crackers in single layer in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
•  Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil. 
• Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in pecans. Pour and spread over crackers. 
• Bake 10 minutes. Cool 30 minutes or until cooled.
• Crush crackers into coarse crumbs. Sprinkle half of crumbs in bottom of ungreased 
• 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Cut and remove carton from dulce de leche ice cream.
•  Cut ice cream into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices over crumbs, overlapping slightly. 
• Spread ice cream with spatula until even pressing down firmly. Freeze 1 hour or until firm.
• Place hot fudge ice cream topping in resealable 1-quart plastic bag. Cut small hole in bottom 
• corner of bag with topping. Squeeze bag to pipe fudge topping over ice cream. Scatter
•  remaining half of praline crumbs over fudge layer. Freeze 30 minutes or until fudge is firm.
• Cut and remove carton from coffee ice cream. Cut ice cream into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
•  Arrange slices over crumbs, spreading ice cream until smooth; press down firmly. Freeze 
• while preparing topping.
• Beat whipping cream in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold in liqueur. Spread over top
•  of dessert. If desired, garnish with chocolate curls. Freeze 4 hours or until firm. Let stand
•  at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving time.

The Bad News is.........

Nutritional Information:

1 Serving (1 Serving)

• Calories 560
• (Calories from Fat 305),

• Total Fat 34g
• (Saturated Fat 18g,
• Cholesterol 80mg;
• Sodium 290mg;
• Total Carbohydrate 59g
• (Dietary Fiber 2g,
• Sugars 48g),
• Protein 5g;

Percent Daily Value*:

• Vitamin A 20.00%;
• Vitamin C 0.00%;
• Calcium 14.00%;
• Iron 8.00%;

Exchanges:

• 2 Starch;
• 2 Fruit;
• 7 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

• 4 ;

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

I Love taking time for celebrations, especially during these dreary months.
I guess the next reason to celebrate will be

Valentine's Day

I better get started on my Valentine plans...


Do you have any plans or crafty ideas lined up for Valentine's Day?

JACKS FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!!!!!!

In the last year, this blog has been flooded with photos with a sweet little red head-something I won't apologize for!  Being a grandma is just about as sweet as our little Jack is.  While I have a list of things I would like to blog about, today's blog is about Jack.  Tuesday was Jack's first birthday, and today we celebrated.  So I thought I'd share a few pics of his special day! Please enjoy!

GIFTS 

FOOD

Jack's mommy made a chocolate cake and pumpkin cupcakes